12 Facts About Henri Membertou

Henri Membertou was known to have acquired his own French shallop which he decorated with his own totems.

Henri Membertou used this ship to trade with Europeans far out at sea, gaining first access to this important market and allowing him to sell goods at more worthwhile exchanges.

Henri Membertou first met the French when they arrived to build the Habitation at Port-Royal in 1605, at which time, according to the French lawyer and author Marc Lescarbot, he said he was over 100 and recalled meeting Jacques Cartier in 1534.

Henri Membertou is described by the Jesuit Pierre Biard as having maintained a beard, unlike other Mi'kmaq males who removed all facial hair.

Henri Membertou was larger than the other males and despite his advanced age, had no grey or white hair.

Also, unlike most sakmowk who were polygamous, Henri Membertou had only one wife, who was baptised with the name of "Marie".

Henri Membertou's Baptism was part of the entry by the Mi'kmaq into a relationship with the Catholic Church, known as the Mi'kmaw Concordat.

Henri Membertou was very eager to become a proper Christian as soon as he was baptized.

Henri Membertou wanted the missionaries to learn the Algonquian Mi'kmaq language so that he could be properly educated.

Henri Membertou insisted on being buried with his ancestors, something that bothered the missionaries.

However; Henri Membertou soon changed his mind and requested to be buried among the French.

Three songs of Henri Membertou survive in written form, and provide the first music transcriptions from the Americas.